A perfect pairing for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras, the Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Lens offers excellent resolution and a bright f/1.8 aperture for photographers looking for a high-performing normal-length prime.
A perfect pairing for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras, the Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Lens offers excellent resolution and a bright f/1.8 aperture for photographers looking for a high-performing normal-length prime.
ZEISS Optical Design
Based on the ZEISS Sonnar optical concept, this lens uses a design with seven elements in five groups that helps achieve the large maximum aperture of f/1.8 while simultaneously reducing flare and improving contrast.
Bright f/1.8 maximum aperture allows users to create images with shallow depth of field and work in low-light conditions with relative ease.
Three aspherical elements, including two double-sided, are incorporated in the lens design to reduce astigmatism, field curvature, coma, and other monochromatic aberrations.
ZEISS T* anti-reflective coatings have been applied to each lens surface to help minimize reflections in order to provide greater image clarity, contrast, and color fidelity.
Rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing selective focus techniques.
Autofocus and Design
Linear autofocus motor and internal focus design provide quick and precise autofocus performance and enables accurate and silent focusing while recording videos.
Dust- and moisture-sealed design better permits working in inclement conditions and rubberized control rings benefit handling in colder temperatures.
UPC: 027242868175
Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Specs
Color
Black
Focal Length
55mm
Aperture
Maximum: f/1.8 Minimum: f/22
Lens Mount
Sony E
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
43°
Minimum Focus Distance
1.64' / 50 cm
Magnification
1:7 Macro Reproduction Ratio 0.14x Magnification
Optical Design
7 Elements in 5 Groups
Aperture/Iris Blades
9, Rounded
Focus Type
Autofocus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
49 mm (Front)
Dimensions
ø: 2.54 x L: 2.78" / ø: 64.52 x L: 70.61 mm
Weight
9.91 oz / 281 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.2 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
8 x 4.4 x 4.3"
Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Reviews
Sublime images and amazing performance.
By Juan Carlos
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2024-08-02
I am a wedding photographer and I have shot around 350 weddings and portrait sessions for more than a decade. This lens is an absolute must for any professional who depends on amazing sharpness, great color & contrast and creamy bokeh.
Fast focusing, very light and almost silent for video too.
Zeiss means Sublime.
Brilliant Optics, Poor Mechanics
By Joel
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2023-12-28
I love the optics of this classic, lightweight lens. It is brilliantly sharp with a wonderful, old school feel to the bokeh that involves a slight curvature of the circles of confusion around the corners of the frame. Brings back fond memories of old Nikon film lenses, but of course it is much sharper with more contrast.
Why doesn’t Sony update this lens??? It desperately needs an autofocus switch and an aperture ring would be nice, too. Make it part of the G lens family, along with the 20mm f/2.8 and the three lightweight street photography lenses (24, 40, 50). They all have aperture rings.
As it is, the autofocus is inconsistent and sometimes hunts desperately. Switching to manual focus requires going into the function menu. In aperture-priority mode, the exposures are sometimes wildly inconsistent. Switching to a different lens or manual mode solves the problem, but Sony needs to fix it with an upgrade.
I have used this lens extensively for photojournalism and documentary work. It could be one of the greatest street photography lenses of all time if Sony would give it the update it deserves.
Five stars for optics, one star for mechanics.
